Evaluating the Integration of Pre-Mortem Diagnostic Imaging in the Anatomical Study of Body Donors

Introduction Medical faculties are embracing a modernistic approach to the teaching of anatomy that integrates diagnostic imaging largely through post-mortem computed tomography (CT) scanning of body donors. Though this integration provides valuable learning opportunities, this approach still poses many challenges. Aim The purpose of this study was to assess the implementation of pre-mortem donor-specific imaging (DSI) on student learning and dissection experience in addition to gaining an understanding of the students’ perceptions of the DSI-anatomy integration on their preparation for physicianship. Methods Ethics approval was obtained by the McGill University Institutional Review Board. All donor imaging was acquired by legal donor consent and anonymized. Students in a fourth-year medicine, cadaveric dissection-based course were divided into two groups: group 1 received DSI with a relating case vignette (n=15) at the beginning of the course; group 2 received generic imaging (GI) relating to the type(s)...